Woodworker's Journal 2009-33-5, страница 50
Mid-sized Benchtop Lathes By Chris Marshall Woodturning is a pleasant departure from our usual "straight and square" woodworking. But maybe you're not ready to drop a grand or more into a full-sized lathe to get started. Thanks to these mid-sized benchtop lathes (often called "midis"), you don't have to. All four machines I tested here are capable of turning objects up to about 12" in diameter as well as spindles up to 16" to 20" long. Cast-iron beds and other components, combined with 1/2 to 1 hp motors, make them well suited for most general turning needs. This small test group represents the "cream" of a much larger crop of benchtop lathes, because they have electronic variable speed control. It's a worthy convenience: you can change the spindle speed instantly at the turn of a dial, within three or six pulley ranges, instead of being limited to a few fixed speeds and frequent belt changes with other entry-level lathes. These four also have 12- or 24-position indexed heads, intended to lock the spindle incrementally for fluting, routing, drilling or carving with a workpiece mounted in the lathe. Other shared features include #2 Morse taper headstocks that accept universal spur and live centers (both are included). The headstock spindles are threaded 1" x 8 tpi for standard faceplates — a 3" size comes standard — or Quik-Link takes you directly to the web page on which these products appear! No navigation necessary ... just go to www.woodworkersjournal.com and click on the Quik-Link tab. 50 October 2009 Woodivorker's Journal |
